UPDATED
Updated Nov. 3, 2026: The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the three people who died. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
Quick summary: Patrick Lynch, 42, and his two children, James Lynch, 8, and Caroline Lynch, 6, all of Mt. Lebanon, died Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 3, 2026, outside a parking garage on the 700 block of Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identified them. Allegheny County Police said preliminary information indicates a murder-suicide and that all three had injuries from an apparent fall. Police say there is no threat to the public.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. More resources are listed below.
Victims identified
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identified the three people as Patrick Lynch, 42; James Lynch, 8; and Caroline Lynch, 6, according to KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh, TribLive and WTAE. All three lived in Mt. Lebanon, TribLive reported.
In an update Tuesday night, the Allegheny County Police Department said preliminary information suggests a murder-suicide and that all three had injuries from an apparent fall, CBS Pittsburgh reported. Officials have not said what led up to the deaths. (Earlier unofficial reports, citing sources, gave different ages; the ages above are the ones released by the medical examiner.)
What happened
Police were called at about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday for three people found unconscious in the roadway on Municipal Way near Florida Avenue, behind the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building and the neighboring parking garage, Chief Jason Haberman said, according to TribLive.
Emergency crews performed CPR on all three, but they were pronounced dead at the scene, WPXI and WTAE reported. Allegheny County Police are leading the investigation, with help from the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office.
Photo: Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
What police have said
"At this time we are treating this incident not as an accident," Haberman said, according to WPXI. He declined to share more about what happened, CBS Pittsburgh reported. Police said there is no active threat to the public.
Schools and day care closed Wednesday
Mt. Lebanon School District closed Markham and Washington elementary schools on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Honey Bee Haven day care also closed, WTAE reported. Other district schools will open as normal, and families who keep children home may take an excused absence.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic news involving members of our Mt. Lebanon school community," the district said in a statement. Superintendent Dr. Melissa Friez pointed families to resolve Crisis Services, available 24 hours a day at 1-888-796-8226. Honey Bee Haven said it is bringing in professional counselors for its staff.
A community in mourning
Haberman said the deaths will bring "a significant amount of trauma" to the community.
"Our condolences to everybody involved, the victims' families, friends; everybody within the Mt. Lebanon community will know somebody involved with this incident," he said, according to WPXI.
He asked residents to keep the family in their prayers and urged anyone who needs to talk to someone to seek professional help.
Where to get help
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org (24/7, free, confidential).
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 (crisistextline.org).
- resolve Crisis Services (Allegheny County): call 1-888-796-8226 (1-888-7-YOU-CAN), 24/7, free for county residents, for adults, teens and children. Walk-in center: 333 N. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh (UPMC).
- Parents talking with children about frightening news can find guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics at healthychildren.org.
FAQ
Who died in the Mt. Lebanon parking garage incident? The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identified them as Patrick Lynch, 42, and his children James Lynch, 8, and Caroline Lynch, 6, all of Mt. Lebanon.
How did they die? Allegheny County Police said preliminary information indicates a murder-suicide and that all three had injuries from an apparent fall from the parking garage.
Where did this happen? Outside the parking garage on the 700 block of Washington Road, on Municipal Way near Florida Avenue, behind the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building. Mt. Lebanon is a suburb south of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
When did it happen? Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026; police were called at about 4:15 p.m.
Is there a danger to the public? No. Police said there is no threat to the public.
Are Mt. Lebanon schools closed? Markham and Washington elementary schools and Honey Bee Haven day care closed Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. Other Mt. Lebanon schools are open.
Who is investigating? The Allegheny County Police Department, with Mt. Lebanon police and the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office.